Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign

Abstract

IN all parts of the world where the vegetation partakes of an arboreous character, the wood is applied by the natives either for building their huts or houses, for their canoes or war-vessels, or for various domestic purposes, according to the extent of civilisation under which they live. This universal application of timber dates back to the earliest ages, and though the world's consumption of wood has been increasing ever since, and more especially in modern times, the supplies have never yet absolutely failed. Though the trade in timber, properly so called, that is for building purposes as distinguished from ornamental woods, is one of immense proportions and great value, the more general application of iron at the present day for constructive purposes has to some extent, no doubt, prevented a dearth in the timber market. Notwithstanding this substitution of iron both in shipbuilding and in general mechanical work, no absolute diminution in the quantities of timber imported into this country has been effected. On the contrary, the official returns show a gradual increase both in rough and in planed or dressed timber, large quantities of which now come regularly from Sweden and Norway, from Russia, British North America, and other countries. Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign. By Thomas Laslett, Timber Inspector to the Admiralty. Crown 8vo, pp. 352. (London: Macmillan and Co. 1875.)